Bee-Inspired Reads: Our Top Bee-Themed Book Picks to Celebrate World Book Day

Our Top Bee-Themed Book Picks to Celebrate World Book Day

Our top bee-themed book picks: bees are an essential part of our ecosystem, and they play a crucial role in pollinating crops and producing honey. World Book Day is an excellent opportunity to celebrate these incredible insects and learn more about their fascinating world. In this blog post, we will share our top bee-related book picks, from memoirs to fiction to educational books.

1. A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings: A Year of Keeping Bees by Helen Jukes

In this top bee-themed book pick, Helen Jukes’ debut book, A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings, is a memoir about her journey into beekeeping. Jukes takes readers on a journey through a year in the life of a beekeeper, chronicling the ups and downs of her first year keeping bees. The book provides a unique insight into the complexities and joys of beekeeping, making it an excellent read for both experienced and novice beekeepers.

Jukes’ writing is both lyrical and informative, and the book is filled with fascinating facts about bees and their behavior. She also delves into the challenges that beekeepers face, including disease, pests, and climate change. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in bees and beekeeping. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

2. The Honey Bus by Meredith May

The Honey Bus is a memoir by Meredith May, chronicling her childhood growing up with a beekeeper grandfather in California. May’s grandfather introduced her to the world of bees, and his wisdom and love for the insects helped her through a difficult childhood.

The Honey Bus is a touching and inspiring book that explores the healing power of nature and the importance of family connections. May’s writing is both poignant and insightful, and readers will find themselves captivated by her story. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

3. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

The Secret Life of Bees is a novel by Sue Monk Kidd set in South Carolina during the Civil Rights Movement. The book tells the story of a young girl named Lily, who escapes her abusive father and finds refuge with a family of beekeepers.

The novel explores themes of love, loss, and racial inequality, and it has become a modern classic. The Secret Life of Bees is a beautifully written and engaging novel that will captivate readers of all ages. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

4. How to Bee by Bren MacDibble

How to Bee is a children’s book by Bren MacDibble, set in a world where bees are extinct, and humans have to manually pollinate crops. The book follows the story of a young girl named Peony, who dreams of becoming a beekeeper.

How to Bee is a heartwarming and thought-provoking book that explores the importance of bees and their role in our ecosystem. MacDibble’s writing is both accessible and engaging, making it an excellent book for children and adults alike. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

5. The Bees by Laline Paull

The Bees is a dystopian novel by Laline Paull set in a beehive. The book follows the story of a worker bee named Flora, who defies the strict hierarchy of the hive and embarks on a dangerous adventure.

The Bees is a unique and immersive novel that explores the complex world of bees and their social hierarchy. Paull’s writing is both gripping and informative, and readers will find themselves fascinated by the intricate workings of the hive. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

6. Honey Farm Dreaming: A Memoir About Sustainability, Small Farming and the Not-so Simple Life by Anna Featherstone

This top bee-themed book pick, Honey Farm Dreaming is a memoir by Anna Featherstone, chronicling her family’s journey to start a honey farm in rural Australia. The book explores the challenges and joys of sustainable farming, as well as the intricacies of beekeeping.

Featherstone’s writing is both humorous and insightful, and she offers valuable lessons on sustainability and small-scale farming. Honey Farm Dreaming is an inspiring and informative book for anyone interested in sustainable living and beekeeping. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

7. Mason Bee Revolution: How The Hardest Working Bee Can Save The World by Dave Hunter & Jill Lightner

Mason Bee Revolution is a guidebook by Dave Hunter and Jill Lightner, offering practical advice on how to raise and care for mason bees. Learn how mason bees make an excellent alternative to honeybees, and they are hardworking pollinators that can help boost the health of your garden.

This book offers step-by-step instructions on how to raise mason bees, as well as valuable tips on how to create a bee-friendly environment in your backyard. Mason Bee Revolution is an essential guidebook for anyone interested in sustainable gardening and beekeeping. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

8. The Beekeeper’s Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America by Hannah Nordhaus

The Beekeeper’s Lament is a non-fiction book by Hannah Nordhaus, chronicling the life of a commercial beekeeper in the United States. Nordhaus delves into the challenges that beekeepers face, including colony collapse disorder and the impact of industrial agriculture on bee populations.

The Beekeeper’s Lament is a well-researched and informative book that sheds light on the complex world of commercial beekeeping. Nordhaus’ writing is both engaging and informative, and readers will gain a newfound appreciation for the hard work and dedication of beekeepers. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

9. Liquid Gold: Bees and the Pursuit of Midlife Honey by Roger Morgan-Grenville

Liquid Gold is a memoir by Roger Morgan-Grenville, chronicling his journey into beekeeping in midlife. Morgan-Grenville shares his experiences of setting up a honey farm in the English countryside, and he offers valuable insights into the art of beekeeping.

Liquid Gold is a charming and witty book that will appeal to anyone interested in beekeeping and sustainable living. Morgan-Grenville’s writing is both informative and entertaining, and readers will find themselves captivated by his adventures in beekeeping. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

10. Show Me the Honey: Adventures of an Accidental Apiarist by Dave Doroghy

Show Me the Honey is a memoir by Dave Doroghy, chronicling his journey into beekeeping after winning a beehive at a charity auction. Doroghy shares his experiences of learning the art of beekeeping and the challenges of running a successful honey business.

Show Me the Honey is a humorous and informative book that offers valuable insights into the world of beekeeping and honey production. Doroghy’s writing is both engaging and informative, and readers will find themselves entertained and inspired by his story. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

11. Honey and Venom: Confessions of an Urban Beekeeper by Andrew Cote

Honey and Venom is a memoir by Andrew Cote, chronicling his experiences as an urban beekeeper in New York City. Cote shares his insights into the challenges of beekeeping in an urban environment, as well as the joys and rewards of harvesting honey in the heart of the city.

Honey and Venom is a fascinating and informative book that offers valuable insights into the world of urban beekeeping. Cote’s writing is both engaging and informative, and readers will find themselves captivated by his adventures in beekeeping. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

12. Bee People and the Bugs They Love by Frank Mortimer

Bee People and the Bugs They Love is a non-fiction book by Frank Mortimer, chronicling his journey into beekeeping and his encounters with fellow beekeepers. Mortimer shares his experiences of learning the art of beekeeping and the joys and challenges of running a successful honey business.

Bee People and the Bugs They Love is a charming and insightful book that offers valuable insights into the world of beekeeping and the people who love bees. Mortimer’s writing is both engaging and informative. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

13. ‘From A to Bee’ by James Dearsley

‘From A to Bee’ is a non-fiction book by James Dearsley, detailing his journey into beekeeping. It covers the challenges he faced along the way. Dearsley was initially drawn to beekeeping as a way to reconnect with nature and learn more about the food he ate. But he soon found that beekeeping was much more complicated than he anticipated.


In ‘From A to Bee’, Dearsley shares his experiences of setting up his first beehive and learning the art of beekeeping from scratch. He details the challenges he faced, including dealing with swarms, disease, and the constant worry of colony collapse disorder.


Despite the challenges, Dearsley perseveres and develops a deep appreciation for the bees and the vital role they play in our ecosystem. ‘From A to Bee’ is an insightful and engaging book that offers valuable insights into the world of beekeeping and the joys and challenges of working with these fascinating creatures. Available as an audiobook and in print try Amazon or Scribd.

Top Bee-Themed Book Picks

These thirteen top bee-themed book picks offer a wealth of information and inspiration for anyone interested in bees and beekeeping. From memoirs to guidebooks, these book picks cover a wide range of topics. Including sustainable living, gardening, and the challenges facing bee populations today.

Whether you are a seasoned beekeeper, mulling over getting started, or just love bees, these top bee-themed book picks are sure to captivate and inspire you. By learning more about these fascinating creatures, we can all do our part to protect and support bee populations for years to come. Happy reading!

If you love learning about bees, then you might enjoy gardening for bees! Check out these posts on how-to-grow bee-friendly plants in your garden!

How To Grow Purple Tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
In the Borage family, Purple Tansy is known as the honey plant, and is also referred to as 'Bees Friend'. Purple Tansy features curled fiddleheads of light-purple flowers with protruding stamens. Blooms for 6-8 weeks for a prolonged bloom time sow seeds every 2 weeks.
Attracts common species, mostly bumble bees, honey bees, mason bees, and syrphid flies. The bee activity, especially on lacy phacelia, tends to amaze observers seeing it for the first time.
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Purple Tansy
How To Grow Borage
Borage is attractive to bumblebees that must buzz at a certain resonance to release a jet of pollen.
Honey plant, borage refills with nectar every two-five minutes unlike most plants, and continues to yield nectar even in cold weather. Significantbumblebee plant. Buzz-pollinated.
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Borage
How To Grow Sunflowers
Nothing says summer more than a Sunflower. These bright and sunny plants can't help but bring cheer to every place they grow. Providing nectar, pollen, and a place to live these flowers attract native pollinators of all types. They are also a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly.
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Sunflowers: Feeding The Birds & The Bees

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wilding.stephanie